Master of Physiotherapy
Overview
Take your career in physiotherapy to the next level through a masters program specialising in musculoskeletal or sports physiotherapy, or extend your study to obtain qualifications in both.
This 18-month program is designed for physiotherapists wanting to gain advanced skills in musculoskeletal physiotherapy or sports physiotherapy. It will deepen your understanding of evidence-based practice, biological and medical sciences, pain and disability, and therapeutic exercise. You'll develop your knowledge through advanced coursework, research and clinical placements.
Through the program, you'll gain in-depth knowledge and advanced clinical skills which will enable you to critically evaluate and contribute to research in your clinical specialisation. The program is flexible, with multiple delivery options, including part-time, on campus and online courses. You'll finish your final four courses on-campus in just one semester (full-time) or across two semesters (part-time). You'll also have the option to obtain a second master’s degree in the alternate field of study through an additional semester of full-time coursework.
Both specialisations have an extensive clinical placements component where you'll practice under the supervision of dedicated specialist clinical educators.
As a graduate you'll have fulfilled the requirements for titled membership of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia or Sports Physiotherapy Australia within the Australian Physiotherapy Association. You'll also be eligible to pursue the final stage training for clinical specialisation within the Australian College of Physiotherapists.
Program highlights
- Enjoy a flexible program that includes part-time external study and an option of intensive full-time study.
- Upskill and specialise by gaining extra qualifications to broaden your knowledge and career.
- Develop your clinical expertise through supervised placements at UQ's musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy clinic.
- Learn from award-winning physiotherapy educators and researchers.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Sports Physiotherapy
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Online study
- Research experience
- Fieldwork
- Seminars
Placements and work experience
Clinical placements may be outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area where you will be required to fund your travel, accommodation and daily living expenses.
This program has pre-placement requirements which must be met prior to commencement of the program or a placement course. Further details can be found on the Placements website.
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Clinical Reasoning in an Evidence Based Practice Paradigm
- Pain, Disability and the Biopsychosocial Model in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy
- Clinical Reasoning and the Biomedical Model in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy
- Exercise is Musculoskeletal and Sport Physiotherapy
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapist
- Sports physiotherapist
Next steps after graduation
The Master of Physiotherapy is usually undertaken for professional development reasons – career progression or advancing clinical practice.
Graduates are equipped with developed knowledge, skills and understanding of physiotherapy and can use their qualifications to show evidence of professional development or to fulfil requirements for titled membership of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia, or Sports Physiotherapy Australia within the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
You will also be eligible to pursue the final stage training for clinical specialisation within the Australian College of Physiotherapists.
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
Professional registration
When you graduate, you may be eligible for registration with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to register.
- Physiotherapy Board of Australia
Program accreditation
The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
“I chose UQ due to its outstanding reputation in musculoskeletal physiotherapy as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best physiotherapy researchers.”
DamienGraduate, Master of Physiotherapy
“I chose UQ due to its outstanding reputation in musculoskeletal physiotherapy as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best physiotherapy researchers.”
DamienGraduate, Master of Physiotherapy
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
An approved degree in physiotherapy as well as 2 years full-time relevant professional experience and evidence of continuing professional education; or
Equivalent qualifications and experience.
Entry is competitive based on GPA.
All successful applicants are required to hold registration in the jurisdiction in which they practice physiotherapy prior to commencement of the program and for the duration of Part A.
For Part B, students are required to hold limited registration or if applicable, full registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements.
The minimum GPA to be considered for admission into this program is 4.0. The GPA cut-off for those offered a place in 2020 was 4.97.
Prerequisites
An approved degree in physiotherapy as well as 2 years full-time relevant professional experience and evidence of continuing professional education; or
Equivalent qualifications and experience.
Entry is competitive based on GPA.
All successful applicants are required to hold registration in the jurisdiction in which they practice physiotherapy prior to commencement of the program and for the duration of Part A.
For Part B, students are required to hold limited registration or if applicable, full registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements.
The minimum GPA to be considered for admission into this program is 4.0. The GPA cut-off for those offered a place in 2020 was 4.97.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.
TOEFL PB - Overall 600, listening 59, reading 59, writing 64/6.
Pearsons - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.
CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.
Other OET - A minimum grade of B for each sub skill (L,S,R,W).
BE is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
The following additional documentation must be submitted with your application:
- the names and contact details of two referees*
- a curriculum vitae showing full work history
- evidence of continuing professional education
For Part B of the program, students are required to hold limited registration or if applicable, full registration, with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements.
Before commencing placement courses you must obtain, and thereafter hold for the duration of the program, a current First Aid Certificate (including CPR) and Blue Card. You will also be required to provide evidence that you do not carry blood-borne transmissible viruses or tuberculosis (TB) and comply with a schedule of immunisations. Further details can be found on the Placements website.
For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.
* Referees must be of a professional or academic nature, from a workplace or from any prior study. Referees cannot be provided by a near relative or close associate. Examples of near relatives are partner, child, brother, sister, or parent. Examples of close associates are close friends, neighbours and partners or children of colleagues.
Additional application information
The following additional documentation must be submitted with your application:
- the names and contact details of two referees*
- a curriculum vitae showing full work history
- evidence of continuing professional education.
Before commencing placement courses you must obtain, and thereafter hold for the duration of the program, a current First Aid Certificate (including CPR) and Blue Card. You will also be required to provide evidence that you do not carry blood-borne transmissible viruses or tuberculosis (TB) and comply with a schedule of immunisations. Further details can be found on the Placements website.
* Referees must be of a professional or academic nature, from a workplace or from any prior study. Referees cannot be provided by a near relative or close associate. Examples of near relatives are partner, child, brother, sister, or parent. Examples of close associates are close friends, neighbours and partners or children of colleagues.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Physiotherapy are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Specific emphasis is placed on the development of advanced clinical reasoning and skills in manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.
You'll develop specialised professional skills including high level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.
Sports Physiotherapy
Focus is placed on developing your advanced clinical reasoning skills and the underlying scientific basis of sports physiotherapy practice.
You'll develop specialised professional skills including high-level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Specific emphasis is placed on the development of advanced clinical reasoning and skills in manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.
You'll develop specialised professional skills including high level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.
Sports Physiotherapy
Focus is placed on developing your advanced clinical reasoning skills and the underlying scientific basis of sports physiotherapy practice.
You'll develop specialised professional skills including high-level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.
Fees and Scholarships
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $47,136
Indicative annual fee 2021
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Master of Physiotherapy for the 2021 academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
If you enrol in a larger or smaller study load, your fees will be calculated on a proportionate basis. All fees are reviewed annually.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Physiotherapy pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $29,920
Indicative annual fee 2020
Fee information for 2021 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2020.
This indicative annual fee is the average cost of enrolling in the Master of Physiotherapy at 2021 fee rates. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
The average fee would be less for part-time study. Actual fees will vary according to your choice of courses, their unit value and the time you take to complete this program.
Fees may be higher in later years as all fees are reviewed annually.
A limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are offered for this program on the basis of academic merit. Once all CSPs have been exhausted, offers may be made on a tuition fee paying basis.
Additional costs
- Annual CPR re-certification (approximately $60 per year)
- Senior First Aid Certificate (including CPR) (approximately $155 renewed every 3 years)
- Costs for vaccinations and serology are the responsibility of the student and will vary based on individual and program requirements.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Physiotherapy is 5221.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Physiotherapy is 5221.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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